L5

• Who is the lecturer for PSYC 112 Lecture 5?

  Dr. Rachel Zajac
• What are the key distinctions between sex and gender?

  • Sex: Biological attributes (genetic and morphological)
  • Gender: Socially constructed roles and identities
• What is genetic sex?

  Genetic sex refers to the chromosomal composition that determines an individual's sex.
• What is morphological sex?

  Morphological sex refers to the physical characteristics and structures associated with male or female bodies.
• What is gender identity?


  Gender identity is one’s private sense of male or female-ness.
• What are gender roles?

  Gender roles are cultural expectations about ways in which men and women should think and behave.
• What are gender stereotypes?

  Gender stereotypes are beliefs about differences in the behaviors, abilities, and personality traits of males and females.
• What are the developmental milestones in gender understanding from ages 18 months to 5 years?

  • Age 18 months: Beginnings of gender-typed preferences
  • Age 3: Knowledge of own gender, preference for same-sex toys and friends, limited ability to assign gender to pictures
  • Age 5: Knowledge of gender constancy
• What behavioral effects are associated with prenatal exposure to testosterone according to Gandelman, Vom Saal, & Reinisch (1977)?


  Prenatal exposure to testosterone results in more "male-like" behavior in females.
• What did Ward (1972) find regarding males deprived of prenatal testosterone?


  Males deprived of prenatal testosterone behave more like females.
• What does the anatomy of the human brain show regarding gender differences?

  The anatomy of the human brain shows some gender differences thought to be due to different patterns of hormone exposure during development.
• How are gender differences in cognitive ability explained?

  Gender differences in cognitive ability are at least partly due to differences in the brain.
• What role does testosterone play in spatial ability?

  Testosterone may influence spatial ability, with males having low testosterone levels and females having high testosterone levels affecting their spatial skills.
• What do evolutionary theories propose about gender behavior?

  • Men and women have evolved to behave differently based on societal roles.
  • Example: Primitive women engaged in fine coordination tasks, while men hunted requiring spatial ability.
• What is Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia?


  Congenital Adrenal Hyperplasia is a genetic condition affecting adrenal gland function, leading to abnormal hormone levels.
• What did Montemayor (1974) find about children's enjoyment of games?


  Children found games more enjoyable if they were labeled as gender-appropriate or gender-neutral.
• How did children's performance vary based on game labeling in Montemayor's study?

  Children's performance was highest when the game was labeled as gender-appropriate and lowest when labeled as gender-inappropriate.
• How do parents influence gender socialization in children?


  • Parents communicate differently with sons and daughters.
  • Sons receive more directives and physical pressure, while daughters receive more explanations.
  • This may promote risk-taking in boys and perceived vulnerability in girls.
• What did Smith and Lloyd (1978) find regarding parental behavior towards infants?


  Parents behaved differently according to the assigned gender label of the infant, even when there were no differences in appearance or behavior.
• What did Weisner & Silson-Mitchell (1990) discover about parents who do not subscribe to gender differences in socialization?

  Parents who do not subscribe to gender differences in socialization have children whose attitudes and behavior reflect fewer gender stereotypes.